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Perquimans teacher dies after collapsing at school

In this file photo from August, teacher Kim Hunter Daugherty talks to her students on the first day of class at Hertford Grammar School. Daughtery died at the school on Thursday after collapsing, according to county and school officials.

HERTFORD — A beloved teacher at Hertford Grammar School whose father was a Major League pitching legend died Thursday after collapsing at her school.

Kim Hunter Daugherty, daughter of Jim “Catfish” Hunter, died at Vidant Chowan Hospital in Edenton where she was transported after collapsing at the Perquimans County school in Hertford.

Superintendent Matthew Cheeseman said Daugherty, who taught the fifth grade, collapsed in a breezeway between two buildings at the rear of Hertford Grammar while a fire drill was underway Thursday morning. Cheeseman doesn’t believe any students saw Daugherty collapse.

Hope Ward, the school nurse at Hertford Grammar, provided CPR to Daughtery until Perquimans County EMS personnel arrived and took over, he said.

“We all have our job titles, but what was administered by Hope Ward showed every last bit of effort,” Cheeseman said.

Because of what happened, Hertford Grammar School students were released early at 1 p.m.

James Spaugh, pastor of Bagley Swamp Wesleyan Church and a member of the local Ministers Council, was among the pastors who went to the school Thursday afternoon to work with staff who were coming to grips with Daughtery’s death.

Spaugh said the Minister’s Council would be on call Thursday night and depending on what the school system needed, planned to return to the school on Friday.

“We’re just there as a resource,” Spaugh said. “We’re there to listen and watch over a classroom if needed. Anything they need us to do.”

Daugherty graduated from Perquimans County High School in 1991 and attended Peace College in 1993, Pitt Community College in 1994 and graduated from Elizabeth City State University in 1997.

She taught at Perquimans County Middle School from 1997 and 2005. She then taught one year each in Dare and Pitt counties, then returned to Perquimans County Middle in 2008. In 2012, she joined the staff at Hertford Grammar School. In all, she spent more 21 years in the classroom.

Because Daugherty touched the lives of so many Perquimans students, all four county schools will be closed on Friday, Cheeseman said. Schools will be open during the day for students and teachers who want to come and talk with one of the counselors who will be available.

“Kim had such a legacy with our school system,” Cheeseman said.

John Lassiter, principal at Hertford Grammar School, wrote the following about Daugherty on Facebook: “With (heart symbol) and admiration. Thank you Kim for a legacy of passion, love, and life changing work! #PQProud.”

Daugherty’s father Jim “Catfish” Hunter was a Hall Fame pitcher for the Kansas City Athletics, Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees in the 1960s and 1970s. He contracted ALS and died in 1999. She is survived by her mother, Helen, and two brothers, Todd and Paul, and her husband, Steven.